The Student-Centered College Access Program

CollegeBound employs full-time College Access Program Specialists (CAPS) who work on-site in Baltimore City public high schools.  CAPS create a dedicated college center within their high schools where they assist students with the college and financial aid application processes.  CAPS assist students from any stage in their post-secondary exploratory journeys and are available to all students, all the time.

CollegeBound structures its program using a standard format and curriculum, but creatively tailors its services to meet the needs and unique character of each Baltimore City public high school.

CollegeBound services offered by CAPS at each high school include, but are not limited to:

 

• • School-wide and classroom presentations on the college and financial aid process

• • One-on-one college and financial aid advising, the core of CollegeBound’s program

• • High-school based college fairs in the fall and spring semesters

• • One-day college bus tours throughout the year and overnight college bus tours during spring break

• • City-wide seminars available to all Baltimore City public school students and families each spring

Impact

Program Accomplishments for the 2024-2025 Academic Year:

CollegeBound Specialists worked in 14 Baltimore City public high schools: Achievement Academy, Baltimore Polytechnic, Benjamin Franklin High School, Carver Vo-Tech, Coppin Academy, Frederick Douglass, Green Street Academy, Mergenthaler Vo-Tech, National Academy Foundation, Reginald F. Lewis, Patterson, Port Virtual School, REACH! Partnership, and Western and 4 community-based organizations: UMB Cure, Urban Alliance, The YMCA, and Harlem Lacrosse.

Level of Program Activity for the 2024-2025 Academic Year:

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• CollegeBound Specialists worked in 12 Baltimore City public high schools: Achievement Academy High School, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Benjamin Franklin High School, Carver-Vocational Technical High School, Frederick Douglass High School, Green Street Academy, National Academy Foundation, Patterson High School, Baltimore Revolutionary Academy for Virtual Education, REACH! Partnership, Western High School, and 4 community-based organizations: Harlem Lacrosse, University of Maryland, Baltimore CURE Scholars Program, Urban Alliance, and the Y of Central Maryland.  

• Provided 11,470 one-on-one advising sessions and delivered 286 classroom presentations to guide students through the college access and financial aid process. 
• Facilitated 141 college campus visits to expose students to postsecondary environments and coordinated 202 college admissions representative visits to increase students’ exposure to a wide range of institutions.  
• Secured 4,956 college acceptances to four-year colleges and universities, and 719 acceptances to two-year colleges and programs. 
• Advised 295 students pursuing postsecondary plans such as military enlistment or trade/vocational careers. 
• Guided 925 students through completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 
• Helped 639 students secure Pell Grants and 664 students earn scholarships to support college affordability. 
• Awarded $1,517,402 in CollegeBound Competitive Scholarships to graduating seniors. 
• Celebrated students receiving a total of $140,168,965 in scholarship and financial aid offers.